As we move on to better sounding setup does out ears get snobby? I just recently had some customs made and it sounds like doo doo. I had them set of them before, and I don't believe it sounded that bad. Now, with my recent ventures into better sounding phones, my ears may have become picky.

In a way. What you listen for in a recording, or what balance you prefer from your headphones or speakers can change over time. There's also the possibility of "ear training", I think some people don't believe it exists but I do.

I find that like the Tin Man's heart, snobbiness is usually there all along.

I have a great system and I enjoy it a lot. But I can listen to a boom box or earbuds without being snobby. It's all about the music.

You know, although I do love music, I appreciate it more due to better sounding equipment. What is funny is that, I listen to genres I would not listen to with my ibuds or boombox.

My music taste has changed because of this hobby and the better equipment. While I'm on this hobby, I feel like I'm leading myself into not music anymore, but particular kind of sound or sound quality. I'm aiming for detail, clarity, and realism in the sound. Also, I notice that I'm into female vocal textures. To me, a good equipment is an equipment that is detailed enough to reveal all the intricate details of female vocals that was well recorded. I guess analogy to this would be Miles Davis's trumpet textures or coltrane's

I am fan of Mariah Carey voice, and I feel that recordings could be done better to bring out more details from her voice.

Why does this home amateur recording sound much better than what's out there in the shops???

Bigshot, I'm testing out my equipment, and was wondering what is the most detailed recordings you know of that that only a good equipment will reveal it's intricacies?

Absolutely not. I play a number of instruments. I've had access to perfect sound all my life. It hasn't made my ears 'snobby'. Most people are familiar with the sound of live instruments or singing. You ask the oddest questions.

Maybe. Back in 1990, when I didn't know any better, I was satisfied with my Sony walkman headphones. Now, I notice the sound system in my local diner and at stores in the mall (when I'm dragged there). Or maybe I notice it only because they play village idiot music and bigshot is right.

My ears have certainly got snobby. I can still listen to music and enjoy the music itself, on poorer SQ playback but I will always notice the lack in detail, realism, quality etc. I would not go back to lower level headphones myself, but given no choice whatsoever I could still enjoy music for... well the music, which is the important part afterall.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverEars

Bigshot, I'm testing out my equipment, and was wondering what is the most detailed recordings you know of that that only a good equipment will reveal it's intricacies?

Shpongles album Tales of the Inexpressible is worth checking out. It is Psychedelic Trance music with a strong emphasis on acoustic, world music and ethnic styles. Don't think its anything like what you typically think of "psy-trance" it is very different.

Shpongles album Tales of the Inexpressible is worth checking out. It is Psychedelic Trance music with a strong emphasis on acoustic, world music and ethnic styles. Don't think its anything like what you typically think of "psy-trance" it is very different.

I don't believe my ears are particularly snobby, but I can be a bit snooty about music.

To answer the OP I know for my position in this thread topic that I don't tailor my music all around sound quality and I could live with poorer SQ if I enjoy the music.

We all have differences in what we enjoy, whether it be the music itself or the equipment. Honestly, I get the most enjoyment experiencing how well the sound equipment works. I could sit there for hours A/B'ing my equipment. I personally love analyzing the sound, or monitoring the quality of the sound. Lots of folks like me here. Maybe I was meant to be an audio engineer, although I don't have much knowledge in manipulating sounds beside swapping my gear.

Fair enough, the main point is that you are getting enjoyment and satisfaction out of the way you listen so that is all that matters in the end, anyone who wants to tell you otherwise is inconsequential.

Have you ever listened to the album that was just mentioned? Just having a quick listen will sum up the style.

Hardly what you would consider thin modern pop music like the name Trance may suggest to some wise old heads. Or maybe it is for your taste.

But yeah, I don't think I'd have it among the most "detailed/Intricate" albums possible to test equipment.

I'm reasonably familiar with psy-trance, goa, acid and associated genres, thank you very much.
Not exactly my cup of tea, but neither am I trying to suggest that my Detroit stuff would be a better option.

Music with sounds you can relate to a real world experience (acoustic/electro-acostic) would be among my first concerns, as it seems it was to Bigshot.
But I can sneer a bit at his choice of Steely Dan if that would help even the odds :)